Arriving at Lake Como from Milan is, in itself, a small journey into another world. The train glides past quiet towns and stretches of green, until suddenly the landscape opens up to reveal the lake—serene, expansive, and impossibly elegant.
But the journey does not end at the station. To truly experience Como, one must take to the water. After disembarking from the train, I boarded a ferry that would carry me across the lake to its fabled villages—each one a delicate blend of history, beauty, and quiet sophistication.
Lake Como is not merely a destination; it is a collection of stories scattered along its shores. Grand villas rise from the water’s edge, their facades softened by time and framed by lush gardens. Cypress trees stand like silent sentinels, and narrow promenades invite unhurried walks, where one can pause and simply absorb the view.
The towns themselves—Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio—are not islands but jewels set along the lake’s winding shoreline. Each has its own distinct charm. Bellagio, often called the “Pearl of Lake Como,” enchants with its steep cobbled streets and elegant villas. Varenna, quieter and more intimate, offers pastel-colored houses that seem to tumble gently toward the water. Menaggio, with its relaxed promenades, provides a perfect vantage point to watch the changing moods of the lake.
There is something deeply calming about being on Lake Como. Perhaps it is the stillness of the water, reflecting the mountains and sky like a painter’s canvas. Or perhaps it is the sense of timelessness—the feeling that life here moves at a different, more thoughtful pace.
As the ferry glides from one village to another, one cannot help but notice the palatial homes that line the shores. These villas, with their manicured gardens and terraces overlooking the lake, speak of a long tradition of elegance and retreat. Yet, despite their grandeur, nothing feels ostentatious. Everything seems to belong—naturally, effortlessly—to this landscape.
By the time I returned to Como town, the light had begun to soften, casting a gentle glow over the water. The lake shimmered quietly, as if holding onto the day’s memories.
Lake Como does not overwhelm; it lingers. Long after you leave, it remains with you—in fragments of light on water, in the hush of distant hills, and in the quiet realization that beauty, when experienced deeply, does not demand attention. It simply stays.
(The writer is professor emeritus at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles)